AP PSYCHOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -A specific phobia involves an intense, persistent fear of a specific object or situation that’s out of proportion to the actual risk. There are many types of phobias, and it’s not unusual to experience a specific phobia about more than one object or situation.

Detailed explanation-2: -Almost everyone has an irrational fear or two-of spiders, for example, or your annual dental checkup. For most people, these fears are minor. But when fears become so severe that they cause tremendous anxiety and interfere with your normal life, they’re called phobias.

Detailed explanation-3: -Phobias are irrational and disabling fears. If you have one, you’ll do almost anything to avoid what you’re afraid of. Someone with a phobia understands that their fear is not logical. Still, if they try to squelch it, it only makes them more anxious.

Detailed explanation-4: -A phobia is an uncontrollable, irrational, and lasting fear of a certain object, situation, or activity. This fear can be so overwhelming that a person may go to great lengths to avoid the source of this fear. One response can be a panic attack.

Detailed explanation-5: -Phobic avoidance–avoiding entering specific fear-provoking situations–can severely restrict patients’ lives.